Summer Barn-WIP

[Bill C]

I'm trying to do my next project right, and plan out the composition. I've been experimenting with different ideas in MS Paint. I'd appreciate some guidance on which is the best design. This is the ref. photo. I was thinking of adding some bluebonnets , is that too much?

thanks in advance!

[Bill C]

Here's what I have after 8 hours.

[Bill C]

here's an update, more than 20 hours so far and still have miles to go.

[Bill C]

grrrrrrrr use the image uploader...lol

i'm liking this so far.

bill i think your trees ont he left need some of the sky peaking out and they need to be shaped a bit...right now it's just a big rectangle going off the page at the top.

[Bill C]

Here's an update. Arlene, thanks for the tip on the trees on the left, you were right it was just a dark rectangle. I worked on it and think it looks better. I agree that I need to add some highlights to the bushes in the foreground. I'm just getting started on the barn, mostly completed the background first!

[Bill C]

Here's another update, it's getting there. I printed it in greyscale to check values, looks likre I need some more darks.

[Bill C]

I really like your final crop. Old barns have a soul all their own, looks like your on the way of capturing this one very nicely. Looks great so far.

TJ

[Bill C]

looking good...and yes push those trees back with darks.

[Bill C]

Arlene,

Do you think I should darken the woods as a whole or just increase the darkness of the shadows?

thanks,

[Bill C]

try just darkening the shadows for now and see how that looks...you may still have to go darker overall, but one step at a time.

[Bill C]

I think I'm done with this. My first ever landscape, 75 hours so far. Please take a look and offer any suggestions, did I miss anything?

Thanks!

[Bill C]

i'd still like to see more layers and more saturation...also the areas circled i feel still need work...i think wanda mentioned a few of them. also the mass of trees on the left need a bit more definition. right now it looks like a blob of dark, with some branches sticking out...there needs to be some indication of darker/lighter even in that. and the other trees if you notice come forward and not sit back...they should be alot darker too i think.

[Bill C]

I agree, darker they'll be. You also circled the right side of the barn (in shadow) Do you think the plants need more work or more layers on the barn?

Thanks for taking the time to help!!!!! :) :)

[Bill C]

Hey Bill,

You are really doing a terrific job on this. Looks like you have already gotten lots of good advice, I don't think I can add anymore. I do agree you need to push your darks a little more.

Gemma

[Bill C]

I worked on it for several more hours last night. Darkened the trees in the background, worked on the foliage on the barn, and added more layers to all of the barn. Better?

[Bill C]

much better...darker still on the two top trees...if you let them sit back, the foreground will pop

[Bill C]

Worked on the top trees last night. Colors in the scan off a little but it's close.

[Bill C]

bravo, this is much better bill. now one last thing...see if you can put spots of sky peaking through the tops of the background trees and you'll have it all.

[Bill C]

okie dokie, out comes the Exacto knife.....................

[Bill C]

LOL, Bill you :evil: you......

Nice depth! It's wonderful, I just love those old weathered boards.

:D

TJ

[Bill C]

bill use blue-tak or handi tak...not an exacto!!! or use scotch tape...you don't let it touch the paper, but let the pencil push it down where it needs to be lifted...so the scotch tape only touches that which you want lifted. go read in the hof about lifting color.

[Bill C]

I used the Exacto before reading this. I've read the HOH on lifting color, I have a CP book that suggests using the Exacto so that's what I've been doing, I'll try the other methods next time.

Thanks to all for your input, I learned a lot while doing this.

Finished....

[Angela]

I love this. I've never attempted landscapes before, but you've done an excellent job. Arlene's the best, isn't she?

[Bill C]

. Arlene's the best, isn't she?



*shhhhhhhhh* her heads big enuff already! ;) ;) ;)

[marilyn h]

She well deserves to have that swelling, but so do you. Your series has just been outstanding. The graying down of the middle trees are just perfect. Did you do the spring barn and I miss it?

[CarrieLLewis]

...I was thinking of adding some bluebonnets , is that too much?Bill,

Bluebonnets are never too much! Now, if it were me, I'd be considering some horses ... :D ;)

[CarrieLLewis]

I think I'm done with this. My first ever landscape, 75 hours so far. Please take a look and offer any suggestions, did I miss anything?

Thanks!Yeah. Where are those bluebonnets?

Seriously, this looks great. And it puts me in mind of some of the broken down, abandoned buildings out in the Flint Hills. Limestone buildings. As you know, I do mostly horses and am just starting to get into landscape mode, but some of these old buildings even get MY artistic juices going. Sigh.

So many things to paint, so little time. :p

[CarrieLLewis]

She well deserves to have that swelling, but so do you. Your series has just been outstanding. The graying down of the middle trees are just perfect. Did you do the spring barn and I miss it?Series? There's a series?

[Carol Stone]

Hi, and I am from the south! so I can get away with calling you sugaugh, lol, very nice piece, I have wondered how beautiful landscapes could be done. I have enjoyed watching this wip, it has given me much to learn. Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!


Carol

[Bill C]

Series? There's a series?


Yup, summer, fall, and winter are complete. Now that Spring has sprung I'm searching the countryside for a ref for the Spring barn to complete the series. :D

http://www.scribbletalk.com/showthread.php?t=24

http://www.scribbletalk.com/showthread.php?t=23

[Wilfrid]

Very good job Bill, it's really beautiful and I like it very much.